[fastcarsfreedom]

LIUNA has done some great projects in the city, including LIUNA Station, which is a gem. The Lister's demise, while often attributed to LIUNA came about when it fell into the hands of an outfit from Toronto known as Metrus Developments--it was Metrus that kicked the tenants out the building, shut off the services and let the place go to seed. While I'd never dispute that LIUNA could've done a better job keeping the site secured over the years, they're interest has always been redevelopment of the property--and as far as I know, there has never been what anyone would call a long line of investors chomping at the bit to get in there and restore the Lister. Should the Lister ever have gotten to where it is today? Absolutely not. However, as I've stated numerous times in the past--the economic viability of the Lister redevelopment as a commercial/Class A office building was dead in the water in terms of viability as soon as LIUNA lost the opportunity to demolish/rebuild and/or preserve the facade. The floor plates are oddly shaped--the ceiling heights are too low--the truth is if the city ever gets up and leaves, the building is going to be difficult to retenant.

Say what you will about LIUNA--I know there are those that love, and those that love to hate--the truth is the supposed "rescue" of Lister by Dalton and has merrymakers was electoral pandering, and ultimately, meddling in a private business enterprise. I can't help but wonder now if this "rescue" ultimately stripped the development of it's fiscal viability.